Krav Maga Illinois Women’s Self Defense vs. Self Defense

When thinking about the difference between women’s self defense and “regular” self defense, meaning self defense for everyone, its really the same thing.  Awareness, reaction, response to threats, self defense techniques.  Most defenses against a choke, for instance, have the same steps and principles for a man as for a women. The difference is mindset.  In all of the women I have trained, I have found that what holds them back from progressing, or even stepping into a training facility is their mindset. 

Women are nurturers, we take care of people. It is out of our character to think of hurting someone so bad that they stop in their tracks.  Some women will only think of going so far, they will poke the eyes, but don’t want to poke them enough to really cause damage. This is a great example thinking “ewww I could never do that” or “I am too small”, “I am too weak”. It can be a give up, or I can’t do it, mentality. 

Well I say this, if women are really too small and too weak, then why would we even try to defend ourselves.  Heck, just forget it, just let yourself be attacked if you think there is nothing you can do.  We have to get out of this mindset. Changing this mindset is number one in women’s self defense. 

You have to “do whatever it takes to survive”  and believe you can do it. Instructors must understand this and help female students to find this mindset. Its not one size fits all, it’s what’s in your head, there’s more to it. Of course there are some women who have no problem attacking the attack right off the bat, but this short article is for those whose beast needs to be nudged out.

Once you finally break through this mindset and make women believe that they can defend themselves, they can hit hard, they can get home safe, then the training begins.  But how do you do that?

Getting to this mindset takes very realistic, visualization and time.  You must put on your visualization cap as part of the training. Especially when you think you are one thing, and someone is telling you to be something else.  There is a beast inside of you, one that can and will protect you and your family, you just have to find it. You find it through training and visualization.  Even a tiny mouse backed into a corner will still fight to survive.  Survival is in everything.

Ladies, turn on your “bitch switch” . I heard a friend of mine use this term and I think it sums it up.  Flip that switch, its there inside all of us.  It’s another way of taking care of yourself and your family.  You have no choice, it is the thing getting between you getting home safely and not getting home at all.

You can still be a loving mom, wife, person, but when the rubber hits the road you know you can do it.  You are 6 feet tall and a powerhouse!  Women are capable of anything and when it comes to the safety of ourselves and those around us. We are more than equipped. We just have to know how to flip the switch.